Building Connections and Capacity at the Temiskaming Art Gallery through artsvest
At the Temiskaming Art Gallery (TAG), community and creativity go hand in hand. As Fundraising Project Manager Jasmine Reil explains, TAG has become much more than a gallery, it’s a cultural gathering place where art, science, and community events come together. From kids’ camps to the beloved Art in the Park and Block Party events, the gallery creates opportunities for people of all ages to connect with local, national, and international talent. The work at TAG is driven by passion and a commitment to accessibility, which pinpoints them as a leading cultural hub in Northern Ontario.
For Reil, being part of the artsvest national network was an opportunity to strengthen her skills as a fundraiser while building TAG’s capacity to connect with local partners and businesses. This opportunity grew with TAG’s selection for the artsvest regional program in Ontario. New to her role in 2023, she found the mentorship program particularly valuable, learning directly from long-time artsvest mentors Trish Matheson and Mary Ellen Davies on everything from breaking down proposals to tracking organizational achievements. This tailored guidance helped her develop practical strategies for building partnerships while saving valuable time. The matching funds provided by artsvest proved essential because of the flexible use of the funds, which in TAG’s case partially went to supporting operational costs, a critical need not often covered by traditional grants.
The impact of TAG’s participation in artsvest has extended far beyond finances. With artsvest’s support and resources, along with TAG’s hardworking staff, they’ve been able to expand ongoing initiatives and create new opportunities, like a new international exchange program in 2025. This past summer, in partnership with Mexico’s Beauprés Gallery, TAG welcomed Mexican artist Dory Perdomo while sending Canadian arts students abroad for a month-long cultural exchange, an exciting example of how mentorship and resources can ripple into new and innovative opportunities that extend far beyond Northern Ontario.
For organizations considering whether the artsvest program would be beneficial to them, Reil is unequivocal: “Jump on the opportunity!”
Photos by Temiskaming Art Gallery
Funders
artsvest in Ontario is made possible by the Government of Canada and the Ontario Arts Council
